beIN SPORT launches new channels Viz Media Engine

beIN SPORT launches new channels Viz Media Engine

Gabriel Miramar-Garcia | 18-01-2013

beIN SPORT is launching two new US channels, beIN Sport HD in English and beIN Ñ in Spanish, using the Viz Media Engine-based workflow for archiving and overall media asset management of its programming content.

The Viz Media Engine is integrated with beIN's Avid Media Composer editing system and its Grass Valley K2 video servers for both import and export. The Viz Media Engine provides access to all media. Using the K2 servers, it manages all of the channel's playout tasks, while WTVision's Channelmaker playout automation system interfaces with it and manages playout and triggering transfer request between the Viz Media Engine and K2 servers as needed.

From the Avid editing system, content can be manually imported into the Viz Media Engine and then exported (either manually or via an automated request) to the K2 playout server for review before on-air delivery.

From the K2 server, files can be manually transferred to the Viz Media Engine after broadcast. These files can originate as a direct ingest into the K2 or as a transferred file from Avid.

beIN SPORT worked with Unitecnic to make the Viz Media Engine selection, which worked closely with the broadcaster throughout the installation and initial implementation of the system. Unitecnic also worked with the Miami-based Imagina US, a production and broadcast services provider company which provided the full operational service for beIN SPORT's new channels in its own facility.

WTVision, a provider of real-time graphics and channel automation solutions, used the Viz Media Engine APIs, that are REST-based, to integrate the Viz Media Engine with beIN's traffic and billing software from Broadway Systems.

Critical to beIN's selection of the Viz Media Engine was the systems' support of Sony's XDCAM HD422 and how it handles partial restores. Viz Media Engine includes advanced and proven technology to work with partial restore throughout the complete workflow from archiving to restoring media from the LTO tape library.

"The Viz Media Engine had everything we were looking for in a MAM and archive system to launch these important new channels in the US market," said Marc Andreu, media manager, beIN SPORT. "The ease of integration with the other manufacturers, ease of use for our operators and ability to restore XDCAM files were all must-haves to make our facility function as we envisioned."